Casio Exilim EX-Z850 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

by Casio

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 4 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EIZJF4
• Item model number: EX-Z850
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,466 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 16, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Offering high quality 8.1-megapixel photos, the EX-Z850 includes a 3x optical zoom and offers both manual aperture and shutter speed priority AE options for advanced users who prefer to create customized images. The impressive 2.5-inch Super Bright LCD generates approximately 1,200 cd/m2 of luminescent output, making the monitor even easier to view when outdoors.

The EX-Z850 includes the latest version of the Exilim Engine, featuring the Anti Shake DSP which considerably reduces the incidence of blurred images due to shaky hands or moving subjects, so you only have to worry about which shots to take, not how they will come out. In response to user's high demand, the EX-Z850's Super Life Battery supports 440 shots per charge (CIPA standards), providing convenient, long-lasting usability.

Notable new features on the EX-Z850 include flash functions for a variety of settings and situations, including Rapid Flash, which enables three flash photos in only one second to completely capture a given moment; Soft Flash, which prevents overexposure of subjects photographed up close; and High Power Flash, which ensures that subjects are properly illuminated even when photographed as far away as approximately 40 feet. The EX-Z850 also includes Revive Shot, which refreshes faded colors of old photos by bringing them back to life in digital format, automatically adjusts for obliquity even when photos are shot while still in the album.

The EX-Z850 represents the latest technology and functions the Exilim digital camera line has to offer. Easy to use automatically or customizable to user specifications, this camera offers the stunningly high quality images and versatility that comes only from Casio.

EX-Z850 features:

Highly Efficient, Advanced Performance

• 8.1-megapixel CCD and retracting 3x optical zoom lens enable high resolution photography
• Large 2.5-inch, super bright TFT LCD display with 1200cd/m2 brightness for easy viewing outdoors; also includes optical viewfinder
• Super Life Battery allows up to approximately 440 still images per charge on CIPA standards
• The Exilim Engine features the Anti Shake DSP, which reduces blurring caused by shaky hands or moving subjects
• Once powered on, the camera is ready to take pictures in approximately 1.0 second
• After the shutter is pressed, the image is recorded almost instantly, with only an approximately 0.005-second release time lag
• High-speed picture playback of approximately 0.1 second
• Subjects appear brightly on the display monitor even under low light conditions, enabling easy shot composition
• Manual aperture and shutter priority AE options can be set quickly via a convenient mode dial for customized photographs

Numerous Easy-to-Use Functions

• White LED light enables both still images and movies to be taken in low light conditions and acts as an AF assist light
• "Rapid Flash" enables three consecutive, high speed flash photos in only one second
• "High Power Flash" compensates for objects to be taken in poorly illuminated areas up to 40 feet away
• "Soft Flash" prevents over exposure when taking shots in Macro, etc.
• "Revive Shot" refreshes the colors of old, faded photos and saves them in digital format
• Zoom Continuous Shutter creates a shot within a shot--user selects area of image to zoom, taking two images with a single press of the shutter
• The 34-scene "BEST SHOT" enables selection of the appropriate camera setting for still images via a sample image menu

High-Quality Multi-Use Functions

• The "Quick Shutter" function reduces mistakes by facilitating simple and easy high-speed focusing
• The "Auto Macro" mode allows for automatic switching between macro mode and autofocus mode
• The "9-Point Multi AF" clearly indicates areas of focus when photographing subjects with multiple focus points
• The one-touch "EX" button allows easy manual adjustment of multiple camera settings on one simple screen
• The "Direct On" button allows quick startup in both shooting and playback modes
• Equipped with a cradle for charging batteries and easy connections to AV equipment/PCs

Product Description

Offering high quality 8.1 megapixel photos, the EX-Z850 includes a 3X optical zoom, and offers both manual aperture and shutter speed priority AE options for advanced users who prefer to create customized images. The impressive 2.5" Super Bright LCD generates approximately 1,200 cd/m2 of luminescent output, making the monitor even easier to view when outdoors. It includes the latest version of the EXILIM Engine, featuring the Anti Shake DSP, which considerably reduces the capture of blurred images due to shaky hands or moving subjects, so you only have to worry about which shots to take, not how they will come out. In response to user's high demand, the EX-Z850's Super Life Battery supports 440 shots per charge, providing convenient, long-lasting usability. The EX-Z850 also includes "Old Photo" Best Shot Mode, which refreshes faded colors of old photos by bringing them back to life in digital format. Additionally, when taking high quality long duration MPEG-4 movies, the EX-Z850 instantaneously reduces camera shake electronically. For movies taken in dimly lit environments, the "built-in" Illumination LED Light provides additional illumination of the subject. Once powered on, the camera is ready to take pictures in approximately 1.0 second Built-in multimode electronic-flash / White LED illumination light enables both still images and movies to be taken in low light conditions and acts as an AF assist light / Rapid Flash enables three consecutive, high speed flash photos in only one second / High Power Flash compensates for objects to be taken in poorly illuminated areas up to 12.1 meters away Unit Dimensions - 3.50 (W) x 2.30 (H) x. 93 (D) (excluding projections;. 78 at thinnest part) / Unit Weight - Approx. 4.59 oz (excluding battery and accessories)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars even better than the ex-z750, March 15, 2006

By 

D. Nash "scarlett_fire" (minneapolis, mn) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-Z850 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I bought this camera thinking that it was just a minor upgrade from the 750, with a better LCD screen, another MP, and a few other features I wouldn't notice much. But it turns out Casio made more changes (all improvements from what I've seen) than I had read about in the couple of quick previews I had seen online.

First, the LCD is a HUGE improvement from the 750's; this one has a noticeably higher resolution and brighter display, and its brightness is user controlable.

It's also faster in every respect, which was predictable, since almost everything in the electronic world gets faster with each generation.

The built-in flash (sorry, no hot shoe for external flash) is also better, with 6 settings easily accessed by hitting 1 button on the back: Auto, Off, On, High-Power, Soft, and Red Eye. Plus, you can also set the "flash intensity" to -2, -1, 0, 1, or 2, giving us a huge amount of control over what is typically either underexposed or bleached white, especially on such a small camera. This is one feature I've been waiting for ever since I sold my old Canon S45, which possessed the best flash out there, and I'm very happy to have it back.

The size is virtually identical to that of the 750-- it seems a couple of hairs less deep, but the difference is so minute that it's not even worth discussing. And the z850 has "Exilim" stamped on the bottom left corner of the black LCD screen. Very subtle, yet cool.

I have made a couple of movies, one indoors, one outdoors, but I haven't had the time to fully evaluate the quality. Let's just say I'm pleased with the movie mode, given that that's not the main feature (for me) of this camera, and also that I'm used to my camcorder. I will say that once you start recording in the movie mode, you can't change any settings until you stop recording, so take some time to think about the proper settings for your conditions before you hit record.

I'm sure there is more to say about this camera, but having just received it 24-hours ago, nothing else has jumped out at me so far. But I'm sure something else will. This is the best compact (not quite subcompact) camera I've ever had, and I've had a few (maybe 8 or 10 by now). The only complaint I have is that the few shots I took at ISO 200 and 400 were quite grainy (especially at the latter setting). However, this complaint is nearly universal in the digital world, so it is best addressed to the entire industry, not specifically or solely to Casio.

All in all, this camera gets a rousing 5 out of 5. If you're looking for a small, easy to use camera that also gives you a very high rate of manual controls with tons of features and very good picture quality, I'd suggest you give this one a very serious consideration. Casio has produced one beautiful camera in the EX-Z850.

77 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ESCELLENT, March 15, 2006

By 

A. Rivkin "anya" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-Z850 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I had the Z750 for 3 weeks, Found a good deal on the 850 and sold the 750. Glad I did.
Improvements:
-Better lit LCD
-Better Flash range
-LED light for movies in low light conditions.
-Microphone on the front of the camera, instead of the top, so that whoever is shooting the movie is not overpowering when speaking.
-Better shaky hand stabalizer.
-More pre set modes
-Better ISO up to 1600
-More white balance options
-Better looking
Overall, this is probably the best camera for the price in its class. The main reason to buy this casio over the latest canon elph is that this casio has a full manual mode. Can't beat that.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our little sweet camera!!, September 14, 2006

By 

T. Tavlas "t_tavlas" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Casio Exilim EX-Z850 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

When the first time I saw a digital camera in my life, it was back in London in 1996 - it was a golden looking Casio with 240 X 320 resolution with almost 2000 usd price tag! :) Considering I was a penniless university student - this camera was something impossible to reach. Finally, after ten years I managed to buy a Casio camera as my second digital cam! When I hold the Exilim EX-Z850, I felt the 10 years of engineering experience in my hand. Although it has not been very well known by most of the people, CASIO (yeah, I know they are more famous with their cheap but solid watches & calculators) was the piooner of the Digital Camera market actually.

I think your camera choice must depend on your needs and expectations, not someone's else. Even so, I want to give you an idea about what you get if you would purchase this camera.

Before buying Exilim EX-Z850: my expectation was to get a reasonably priced, compact, fast, easy to use (not only for me but the other members of the family) and light camera with a high resolution. I started my research based on these criterias; this is how I end up at Exilim EX-Z850.

Some of the positive things about this camera are:
1. Very ergonomic (can carry in pocket - depending on the size of your pocket, if it is full or empty, etc. for sure!)
2. Extremely easy to use (thanks to Best Shot modes)
3. Perfect for beginners, saticfactory for advanced users
4. Excellent colors, super video recording (after firmware upgrade)
5. Camera responses are fast, the battery is very powerful.
6. Manual and Automatic controls, surprisingly well-designed.
7. Large and bright LCD screen.
8. Solid anti-shake system (but working digitally not optically)
9. Reasonable price compare to similar products

And the negative ones:
1. Not very sharp images (even if at the sharpest settings done)
2. Limited optical zoom capability (just x3)
3. Small viewfinder.
4. Some Digital Noise under low light conditions, but it's manageable.

Can you believe if I tell you, you can take the picture of an your old BW picture and Exilim EX-Z850 makes it colorful? Yes I know it sounds crazy but it'is true. There are settings to use it for Video & voice recording as well - these functions are there - not for the sake of having, but for using!

You can use MMC and SD cards with it, up to 1GB. However, if you download the firmware - you can use 2 GB SD (not MMC) card. Also, please note that you need a fast read/write speed card to get the maximum efficiency from the camera (min 10 MB/s write speed). It might also be necessary to note that Exilim EX-Z850 can not be used as PC cam.

At the end of the day, I bought this camera as it answers most of my expectations. I hope my review can be helpful for the readers to give an idea, what the camera can do and can not do :)

PS 1: I uploaded 4 photos taken by Exilim EX-Z850, which can be seen at the top left corner of the product overview page. I specified the settings used to take these pictures.

PS 2: EX-Z850 has some noise problems, esp at high ISO setting but it's manageable with some tricks such as low ISO, quick shutter OFF, higher shutter speed etc... Also I heard some rumuors via Internet that some EX-z850 models with serial no above 556XXXXX is fine, below problematic but no chance to confirm this. By the way mine's serial no starts with 276XXXXX.